APPLICANTS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

In preparation for your interview there are several issues, concepts and features regarding the Adolescent & Family Institute of Colorado which are presented for your information.

The INSTITUTE is a licensed and accredited adolescent psychiatric and substance abuse 24-hour care facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations [formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals]. Additionally, the Institute is "Accredited with Commendation", which is the highest ranking given by the Joint Commission. In fact, the INSTITUTE is the only accredited facility with commendation , having this status for the past ten years in Colorado. The INSTITUTE is unique in its accreditation and approach as we utilize a biopsychosocial model of treatment with a family systems concept of care. This approach to a family therapy model of residential treatment is clinical in nature, intensive and involves the strength of a TEAM.

The MISSION of the INSTITUTE is to provide the highest quality of care for adolescent "noise makers", i.e., those who present with emotional, behavioral, substance abuse, academic and familial problems who have failed to respond to previous clinical interventions. The GOAL of the INSTITUTE'S is to engage the family system, reorganize the parental level of functioning to the executive level, to return the adolescent to the care and developmental efforts of the family and to reduce the "career of patienthood" for the adolescent.

Our efforts for nearly 20 years are reflected in program evaluations, research findings and feedback we receive from our families, adolescents, referring agencies, licensing and accrediting institutions who interact with the INSTITUTE on a daily basis. The level of satisfaction and outcome performances are extremely favorable and endorse the intensity, quality and innovation reflected by the INSTITUTE and STAFF.

As indicated, the TEAM and STAFF membership is the strength of our program. While we value previous training and experience, we are most interested in individuals who understand a role as a TEAM member. Thus, it is necessary to be willing to learn theory, techniques, and clinical concepts as part of any job description. Each STAFF member is as important as another given the complexity and interwoven aspects of our clinical and milieu protocol. Talented people gravitate toward satisfying work experiences and the INSTITUTE represents a valuable opportunity to grow in a career path. Successful TEAM members identify their interest in learning, integrating and developing as opposed to individuals who believe that they "have all the answers" and/or "I only want to do one thing." These individuals typically do not do well or last with us and are better off seeking "a job" elsewhere!

You will be interviewed by experienced clinical and administrative personnel who have had direct clinical and programmatic interactions with adolescent residents and family members. You will complete an intensive questionnaire and be interviewed thus allowing us the opportunity to assess your problem solving skills, vocational and professional aspirations and interpersonal skills as part of the screening and hiring process. You will have every opportunity to identify what we value and if you want to be part of our TEAM effort.

Above all, commitment to learning, loyalty, comradeship and TEAM experiences are essential to our selection process. The benefits of working for this INSTITUTE are reflected in the atmosphere of learning and security, growth and supervision, benefits and sense of personal and professional identity as a member of a clinically skilled and experienced TEAM.

We wish you luck and success in this interview process and in your vocational and professional interests.